Mr McGregor did not see it as an impossible task and said he believed a future service would have local support and that there were creative solutions to enable it to happen.

“The number one hurdle we’re faced with at the moment is that without flying at the middle of the day, or at the weekend, there are basically no scheduling slots into Sydney Airport available,” Mr McGregor said.

“At the moment, Sydney Airport is not at capacity, but there are restrictions on flights in and out of it with a particular time gap in between.

“Now that can be changed, and many in the industry believe that it’s time for an overhaul of the Act. If that were to come about it would open up more slots for the regional airlines.”

Mr McGregor said he had spoken to Senator John Williams earlier this week, and he had undertaken to speak to the Transport Minister about changes to the Act that would improve access to the Sydney terminal.

Senator Williams confirmed that the conversation with the Minister had taken place.

“I’ve had discussions already with Minister Darren Chester and he has guaranteed me that he will discuss it further with me,” said Senator Williams.

“Hopefully he’ll get a slot. No point in starting an airline if you can’t land or takeoff in Sydney, that’s number one priority.

“Get that slot and hopefully proceed from there to get an airline service, even if it is in conjunction with, say, Narrabri or Gunnedah, or where ever to make sure it’s profitable.”

Senator Williams said with the high domestic flight numbers through Sydney he thought Inverell was in a ‘Catch 22’ position. 

“We could grow the town faster with an air service, but if we get one, are we big enough to make sure it makes a profit?” he said.